‘ZC boss fled death threats’

FAISAL Hasnain, the Pakistani-born managing director of Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC), has not set foot in the country for five months with rumour now swirling around the organisation that he might have hastily left in fear after receiving death threats.

By Enock Muchinjo

The Zimbabwe Independent has been reliably informed that a top official in ZC has directly accused some board members (names given) of the association for issuing threats to Haisnain, although the motive of the threats could not be established.

Haisnain flew out of Zimbabwe on November 15 on the day of the military takeover that led to the ouster of former president Robert Mugabe. It could not also be established if the alleged threats against Haisnan and his departure were related to the dramatic political developments that took place in the country in November.

Yesterday, one of the ZC board members said to have been accused of making the threats confirmed to this paper that he had indeed heard of the accusations being levelled against him, which he denies.

“That never happened,” he said.

“I have heard my name being mentioned in the story that I made threats to the MD. My question is simple. If he was threatened, why did he not report to police?”
ZC chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani was constantly not reachable yesterday.

Haisnain, a former International Cricket Council (ICC) chief finance officer, was appointed by ZC last May in a deal believed to have been hammered out by the ICC to ensure tighter financial control in ZC.

However, during a visit to Zimbabwe last August, ICC chairman Shashank Manohar dismissed talk of ICC involvement, saying the decision to hire Haisnain was entirely that of the Zimbabwean board. Haisnain’s whereabouts are not known, although he is believed to be in Dubai.

He has however continued to discharge his duties through senior departmental managers at the ZC headquarters in Harare.

Meanwhile, cracks have emerged in the under-fire ZC board, which is now said to be deeply divided and dysfunctional following the relentless pressure.